1967 Ford Country Squire My New Acquisition

Today 12/13/2014

Today I replaced the heater core.
I would have been pissed if I did not already need to take off the front right fender.
Changed the thermostat and flushed the cooling system.
Took it to the brake shop for a brake inspection.
I can but don't do brake work, I know sounds weird.
The fiberglass trim on the passenger fender may be broken beyond repair.
Anyone have a worn weathered, but not broken unit they would be willing to part with?
Part Number: C7AB-16212A

 

Also….

I started pounding out the dent in the front fender.
I was surprised at how much of the dent just popped out.
It's clearly going to need more bodywork than I am capable of doing but it's no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be.

 

This weekend…….

This weekend I decided to start cleaning up the interior.
I started at the rear of the car.
Pulled the spare and found everything in it's place…jack, wrench holder etc…
Adjusted the rear panel as it was not sitting right at the top.
Fixed the floor storage latch.
Fixed the rear seat latch.
I'm pumped that I found the original build sheet under the rear seat.
I found some vintage slotted mags on Craigslist but when I got to the guys storage facility (his buddy's garage) one was badly damaged.
As I was leaving the "buddy" asked me if I wanted a set of Cragar SS wheels with spinners FOR FREE!
Needless to say I said "yes please".
They are 15" too!
3 are in better than decent shape and match the patina of the car very well.
The 4th is so so.
I'm going to have the tires removed tomorrow so I can see what I'm dealing with.
I also made 2 appointments to deal with the body work.
I have a paintless dent guy coming out to do the roof.
He said he can get the roof to 90-95% of original which is fine with me because I'd rather a small imperfection and keep the original paint.
The second appointment is to get the fender done.
I'm only having them paint the top of the fender.
I'm still looking for a used, worn front right "wood" moulding.
I'd even take a broken one that I could splice to what's left of mine.
As soon as I have something picture worthy, I'll post them.

 

Nice garage find wagon. I'd hope that the dents can be made to look better then go from there with the needed body work. Maybe the paint can be matched fairly well. If not it's still a great wagon.

 

Thanks

@ModelT1: Thanks!
The painless dent guy comes on Friday.
I wish I knew how to drop the headliner to make his repair better but……I don't.
I called a few interior shops and they want $400 to drop & reinstall the rear of the headliner.
Too rich for my blood!!
Does anyone know how to drop a headliner in a 1967 County Squire?
I think I could do it if I knew how.

 

Remove all of the trim that runs along the edge of the headliner from the back gate, corners and alone the rear (long) windows. You may then be able to take each metal spar out one at a time. Make sure they stay in the same place since they are each different. One issue you may have is that the headliner may tear since its 40+ years old. Honestly getting the headliner down from the back gate up to your dent will be the easy part. The tough part will be re installing, stretching so no wrinkles are there..without the headliner falling apart.
Dr B

 

Thanks! I'll give it a shot.
I had taken down the side trim the other day.
The headliner looked like it was glued in.
It was very tight.
I was afraid I would rip it so I decided to ask here first.

 

Easy as Pie + Merry Christmas

The headliner was easy to get down.
Only took it down a little past the work area.
Hopefully it will reinstall just as easily.
Paintless dent guy comes in the AM.
I do not expect perfection but I want to keep the original paint.
Fingers are crossed.
Here are the before pictures.

 

Couple More Pix…..

Couple More Pix….

 

Paintless Dent Repair = MAJOR FAIL
I guess I need to go to traditional work and see if they can blend.

 

If it were mine (and it's not) I would repair and repaint the whole car. It's the only way you are going to be able to get everything to match and look right. You can buy the woodgrain vinyl and restore the wood/fiberglass trim. Then you will have a really nice wagon. I understand and agree that if you can keep a "survivor" original it is the thing to do, I love survivors with some patina and character. They are only original once. BUT in this case I don't think it's feasible IF you want a good looking car when your done. Just my opinion.

 

Thanks

@marty: I Hear you…but it aint gonna happen.
My days of restoring are way over.
I want to preserve as much as possible on this wagon.
I dropped it at the body shop today.
Hopefully it will look good when finished.
Standby for some after pictures…...

 

Update…….

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The car has been at the body shop for about a week.
They are going to repair and paint the top half of the front fender.
They are also going to fix the roof and blend the paint as best as possible leaving as much of the original paint as they can.
I spoke to them yesterday.
I should have the car back by Tuesday or Wed. at at the latest.
I also shifted gears on the wheels and tires.
The Cragars would not fit…too much backspace.
Plus I really wanted Slotted Mags.
I bought the wheels pictured today.
They cleaned up really well.
They will be for the rear.
I'm looking at another matching set for the front tomorrow….just a bit smaller though.
My tire selection will keep the fronts and rears at almost the same diameter but I will get the staggared width that I want.

 

I love the slotted mags! I wish they would reproduce them in an 18" or 20". If they did I would buy some for my 65 Country Squire But they don't so I went with American racing Nova with a gray center and machined lip in 20".

 

I agree

I like Toque Thrusts and Slotted.
Since I have the TTs on my Galaxie I figured I'd go with the Slots on the Squire.
Picked up the fronts today…..a perfect match!